Managing Complex Mixtures of Chemicals – A Forward Look From The Regulators’ Perspective

Wharfe, Jim; Tinsley, Derek; Crane, Mark

doi:10.1023/b:ectx.0000035298.28258.50

Cited by 12 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…Generally referred as WET (Whole Effluent Toxicity) tests in the USA or DTA (Direct Toxicity Assessment) in the UK, the whole sample toxicity assessment can help to identify, diagnose, and control the impacts on the ecosystem from the complex mixtures of contaminants (Wharfe, 2004;Wharfe et al, 2004;Whitehouse et al, 2004). Thereby, in this approach, all the present substances and their interactions are considered, which reduces the risks of underprotection and allows a more direct association between the source and the receptor (Whitehouse et al, 2004).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A whole sample toxicity assessment to evaluate the sub‐lethal toxicity of water and sediment elutriates from a lake exposed to diffuse pollution

Abrantes

Pereira

Figueiredo

et al. 2008

Environmental Toxicology

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The impact of diffuse pollution in aquatic systems is of great concern due to the difficult to measure and regulate it. As part of an ecological risk assessment (ERA), this study aims to use a whole sample toxicity assessment to evaluate the toxicity of water and sediment from Lake Vela, a lake that has been exposed to diffuse pollution. In this way, standard (algae: Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata; cladoceran: Daphnia magna) and local species (algae: Aphanizomenon flos-aquae; cladoceran: Daphnia longispina) were exposed to surface water, and sediment elutriates were collected seasonally from two sites at Lake Vela: one near the east bank (ES), surrounded by agricultural lands; and the other near the west bank (WS), surrounded by a forest. The results confirmed the seasonal contamination of both environmental compartments by pesticides, including organochlorine pesticides, and the presence of high concentrations of nutrients. Although both sites were contaminated, higher levels of pesticides and nutrients were detected in ES, particularly in the sediments. Bioassays showed that water samples (100% concentration) collected in summer and autumn significantly affected the growth rate of P. subcapitata, which could be attributed to the presence of pesticides. Likewise, they revealed an apparent toxicity of elutriates for P. subcapitata and for both daphnids, in summer and autumn. In fact, although pesticides were not detected in elutriates, high levels of un-ionized ammonia were recorded, which is considered highly toxic to aquatic life. By comparing the several species, P. subcapitata was revealed to be the most sensitive one, followed by the daphnids, and then by A. flos-aquae. Results obtained in this study underlined the importance of whole samples toxicity assessment for characterizing the ecological effects of complex mixtures from diffuse inputs, in the ERA processes.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A whole sample toxicity assessment to evaluate the sub‐lethal toxicity of water and sediment elutriates from a lake exposed to diffuse pollution

Abrantes

Pereira

Figueiredo

et al. 2008

Environmental Toxicology

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“…For on-line measurements, there are some doubts that "state-of-the-art" biosensors will give additional information and will replace chemical analytics or even bioassays. The case study emphasized the need to develop biosensors which do not only measure "conventional" contaminants but also new emerging parameters like endocrine and immunotoxic effects which are needed for compliance with the drinking water directive as well as the water frame work directive (WFD) and which are currently used in monitoring programs and regulative bodies [22]. The classification of water ways in the context of endocrine effects in Fig.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The classification of water ways in the context of endocrine effects in Fig. 1 expressed as 17b-estradiol equivalents contributes to the evaluation by receptor-assay sensors for the environmental risk assessment (ERA), risk communication and risk management [22,23].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biosensors and Eco‐toxicology

Hansen

2008

Engineering in Life Sciences

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Sensors and biosensors as well as ecotoxicological tools like bio-analytical systems, bioassays and biomarkers provide us with detection systems for signaling a potential damage in the environment (environmental signaling). These responses of early recognition will prevent the eventual damage in the environmental matrices. Once an ecosystem damage has occurred, the remedial action processes for recovery could be expensive and pose certain logistical problems. Ideally, "early warning signals" in ecosystems using sensing systems (biosensors) and biochemical responses (biomarkers) as well as the classical effect-related bioassays would not only tell us the initial levels of damage, but these signals will also provide us with answers for the development of control strategies and precautionary measures. In order to understand the complexity of the structure of populations and processes behind environmental health, our efforts have to be directed to promote rapid and cost-effective new emerging parameters, such as effect-related parameters like biochemical responses (biomarkers) in the field of immunotoxicity and endocrine disruption. Environmental effects, e.g. genotoxicity, were detected in organisms from various "hot spots" and UV-B exposed fish embryos. One problem is always to find the relevant interpretation and risk assessment tools for the environment in the context of the reference areas.

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“…Direct toxicity assessment is useful for monitoring effluents or complex mixtures in receiving waters (ANZECC and ARMCANZ 2000;Tinsley et al 2004;Wharfe et al 2004) and is akin to whole effluent toxicity (WET) testing undertaken for the assessment of toxicity of industrial effluent discharges in the United States (Grothe et al 1996;USEPA 2000) and the United Kingdom (Johnson et al 2004;Tinsley et al 2004). Direct toxicity assessment is poorly developed in Australia compared with WET testing in Europe and the United States (ANZECC and ARMCANZ 2000).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Direct toxicity assessment of volatile chlorinated hydrocarbon‐contaminated groundwater and derivation of a site‐specific guideline

Hunt

Birch

Warne

et al. 2009

Integr Envir Assess & Manag

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Groundwater contaminated with a mixture of 14 volatile chlorinated hydrocarbons (VCHs) discharges to an estuarine embayment in Sydney, Australia. A screening-level hazard assessment identified a potential risk to aquatic organisms from surface water contaminated by the groundwater. Direct toxicity assessment of the groundwater was undertaken on 5 indigenous marine species to assess toxicity and derive a site-specific guideline. The testing included acute tests, subchronic tests on early life stages, and a chronic test. Test organisms included a microalga (Nitzschia closterium), an amphipod (Allorchestes compressa), a polychaete worm (Diopatra dentata), and sea urchin (Heliocidaris tuberculata) and oyster larvae (Saccostrea commercialis). Toxicity testing was undertaken in sealed containers to prevent loss of VCHs, and concentrations of VCHs were measured to accurately assess exposure concentrations. No observed effect concentration (NOEC) values varied from 1.56% dilution (1.11 mg total VCHs) to 50% dilution (45.5 mg total VCHs). EC50 values varied from 4.8% dilution (3.77 mg total VCHs) to more than 50% dilution (45.5 mg total VCHs). NOEC data were used to derive species sensitivity distributions (SSDs) and a site-specific guideline. SSDs were derived from Burr type III (including the Pareto) and log-normal distributions. The log-normal distribution represented the best fit, and because the Pareto distribution is a finite threshold model more suited to toxicants with a threshold mode of action, the log-normal SSD and the associated 95% trigger value (TV) of 830 microg/L of total VCHs, was adopted as the site-specific TV for the groundwater.

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Managing Complex Mixtures of Chemicals – A Forward Look From The Regulators’ Perspective

Cited by 12 publications

References 8 publications

A whole sample toxicity assessment to evaluate the sub‐lethal toxicity of water and sediment elutriates from a lake exposed to diffuse pollution

A whole sample toxicity assessment to evaluate the sub‐lethal toxicity of water and sediment elutriates from a lake exposed to diffuse pollution

Biosensors and Eco‐toxicology

Direct toxicity assessment of volatile chlorinated hydrocarbon‐contaminated groundwater and derivation of a site‐specific guideline

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